DRM down under

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia's Federal
Government-funded public broadcaster, and has responsibilities under
the ABC Act 1983 to provide services to the Australian people.

The new ABC Shop has recently launched, with downloads of TV
programs made available -- but only to Windows users willing to install
Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) software on their computers. Like the BBC iPlayer, and
Channel Four's "4OD", ABC is using the Kontiki platform -- Kontiki
uses peer-to-peer technology to deliver the show to other people, so
as well as locking you into its restrictions, ABC is using your
computer, and your internet connection, to distribute programs.

ABC claims it has a commitment to "respecting legitimate rights to
privacy and confidentiality", yet it is well-known that DRM is vehemently
anti-privacy, and forcing Australian citizens to install proprietary,
secret software from foreign corporations does not seem a good way to
uphold privacy of its viewers.

We do not object to ABC charging money to download programs, only to their use
of DRM. DRM isn't necessary for enabling sustainable production and
distribution of media -- you don't have to look any further than our own guide
to DRM-free living to see that plenty of
artists and businesses are doing it.

Let the ABC know you're writing to them from Defective by Design
and that you don't want these restrictions on programs you've
downloaded!

Point out that the DRM:

locks out people who use free software. A public service should not require
citizens to install software that takes away their freedom in order to access
that service.

forces ABC, a public broadcast service, to become dependent on Kontiki and
Microsoft -- private, proprietary, secretive and profit-motivated
corporations. These corporations, by turning off their DRM systems, can deny
people access to the media permanently. This has already happened with Google Video,
Major League Baseball, and others.

prevents citizens from making legitimate use of the media they've
funded, such as taking clips for reviews
and articles, or sharing interesting programs with friends.

Thanks to Andrew for bringing this to our attention. We try to keep up to date
on as many things as we can, but we rely on readers and supporters to keep us
informed and tip us off about things like this. Please keep sending tips and
updates to info@defectivebydesign.org.